Published: August 26, 2010

Former Mayor Ed Koch has come out in favor Gustavo Rivera the man who is thought to have the best chance to defeat Sen. Pedro Espada in the Democratic primary. Espada is listed on Koch’s NY Uprising site as a “hero of reform” because Espada signed Koch’s good government pledge but Koch has made his distaste for Espada pretty darn clear.

“Guys like Pedro Espada inspired the term ‘throw the bums out,’ and if there is anyone in Albany who deserves an early retirement, it’s him,” said Koch in a statement. “In order to make Albany truly work for our communities again, the reform movement needs partners like Gustavo Rivera in the legislature.  I am impressed by Gustavo’s commitment to meaningful reform, to his community, and to the Bronx.  He’s got the skills to get the job done and the integrity to get it done ethically, and next year his service will be needed in order to accomplish independent redistricting, responsible budgeting and ethics reform, as well as other substantive measures, and I look forward to working with him on these when he’s elected to the State Senate.”

Here is the entire release from the Rivera campaign:

ED KOCH ENDORSES GUSTAVO RIVERA
Crusading Reformer Says Rivera “Has the Leadership Albany Needs”

MORE MOMENTUM FOR INSURGENT CAMPAIGN TO DEFEAT PEDRO ESPADA

(Bronx,NY)  Former New York City Mayor and founder of the reform movement New York Uprising endorsed Gustavo Rivera today, the latest in a string of endorsements for Rivera’s insurgent campaign to unseat Sen. Pedro Espada.

“Guys like Pedro Espada inspired the term ‘throw the bums out,’ and if there is anyone in Albany who deserves an early retirement, it’s him,” said Ed Koch. “In order to make Albany truly work for our communities again, the reform movement needs partners like Gustavo Rivera in the legislature.  I am impressed by Gustavo’s commitment to meaningful reform, to his community, and to the Bronx.  He’s got the skills to get the job done and the integrity to get it done ethically, and next year his service will be needed in order to accomplish independent redistricting, responsible budgeting and ethics reform, as well as other substantive measures, and I look forward to working with him on these when he’s elected to the State Senate.”

“Ed Koch has sparked a movement of everyday New Yorkers who are sick and tired of Albany politicians putting their interest ahead of the public’s, and I am honored that he is joining our campaign” said Gustavo Rivera. “We need leaders who will fight for our community, not take from our community, and in three weeks we will have the chance to vote for change.”

Koch’s endorsement is the latest boost to Rivera’s rapidly accelerating campaign.  Rivera’s campaign is endorsed by other elected officials including: Former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer; Bronx Council Members: Fernando Cabrera, Oliver Koppell, Annabel Palma; Borough President Scott Stringer; Senators: Liz Krueger, Eric Schneiderman; Assembly Members: Adriano Espaillat, Daniel O’Donnell; and Council Members: Margaret Chin, Daniel Dromm, Daniel Garodnick, Robert Jackson, Brad Lander, Jessica Lappin, Melissa Mark-Viverito and Jumaane Williams. Labor unions that endorsed Rivera include AFL-CIO, 1199 SEIU, SEIU 32BJ, Communication Workers of America Local 1180, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500, Freelancers Union, Hotel and Motel Trades Council and Organization of Staff Analysts. Democratic clubs endorsing Rivera include 504 Democratic Club, Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club, Jim Owles Democratic Club and Stonewall Democratic Club.  Progressive groups that endorsed Rivera include New Roosevelt Initiative and Working Families Party.